Search it

Netgear’s R6100 router with 802.11ac comes in at just $100

Netgear has just released new details on their new Netgear R6100 router. The new device seems marketed to young gamers, with the slogan “upgrade to next-gen” hitting the market just a few months before next-gen consoles are set to release.

IThese next-generation 802.11ac wireless devices do have some very impressive stats however, the R6100 is a dual band router that supports combined WiFi speeds up to 1200 Mbps with Fast Ethernet wired connections, “providing secure and reliable Internet connections for fast downloads, clearer voice calls, uninterrupted HD video, and lag-free gaming” according to the official release that was sent out early Wednesday morning .

One of the most impressive stats is the price, which is set at a very enticing $99.99 considering it does integrate 802.11ac WiFi support. That tech is now standard in the MacBook Air and a few smartphones like the new Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. 802.11ac is up to three times faster than 802.11n and it is backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n devices so you won’t have to worry about granfathering your old devices into the new router.

The NETGEAR R6100 2.4 GHz band supports “legacy devices while the less interference-prone 5 GHz band is perfect for multiple HD media streaming and online gaming. Moreover, the R6100 works with the free NETGEAR genie app and software for easy installation and network management, ensuring you a hassle-free transition to 802.11ac” explains Netgear.

“In the last couple of years, there’s been an explosion in the number of WiFi devices connected to the home network. If it doesn’t already, your house will soon have smart TVs, gaming consoles, Blu-ray ® players, and media servers in addition to smartphones, desktops, laptops and tablets,” s aid Sandeep Harpalani, NETGEAR’s director of product marketing for core networking products. “To future-proof your network and keep it humming along at peak performance, you’re going to need to upgrade to AC wireless. The newest smartphones and Mac ® s already have 802.11ac inside. It enables you to be more productive at home and to experience the world of entertainment available through the Internet in a seamless fashion.”

Advanced Features of the NETGEAR R6100 WiFi Router: As Described by Netgear

In addition to combined 802.11ac WiFi speeds up to 1200 Mbps* ( 300 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz 802.11n + 867 Mbps @ 5 GHz 802.11ac) and reliable and secure connections, the NETGEAR R6100 WiFi Router offers many advanced features that are usually available only in high-end routers offered at premium pricing. Below are some of the features that you can enjoy:

NETGEAR genie: This free app for PC, Mac, iOS and Android smartphones and tablets enables you to control, monitor, repair and manage your home network easily through a simple, elegant dashboard. NETGEAR customers can download the utility at http://www.netgear.com/genie or from the Google Play or App Store.

Play your music anywhere: NETGEAR MyMedia provides the ability to find photos, video or music files anywhere on the network and play them on any DLNA ® media player.

Print from your iPad: Support for AirPrint™ enables you to print to any USB or networked printer directly from an Apple iPad or iPhone.

Guest network access: The guest network provides Internet access but prevents other people from seeing and accessing your household’s computers, printers, storage devices and other home network devices.

NETGEAR EZ Mobile Connect: This is an incredibly easy way to enable your guests’ smartphones or tablets to connect to your home Wi-Fi network, simply by scanning the QR code from the genie WiFi screen without typing in security keys or SSIDs.

Media Server-DLNA: The router is DLNA-ready and can stream to any DLNA-compatible device in your house, including the latest smart TVs, Blu-ray ® players, media players, game consoles, handheld devices, tablets and more.

NETGEAR Live Parental Controls: This is a centralized, flexible, and reliable parental control solution for all the devices on the network, including Mac ®s, PCs, smartphones and tablets, for a safe online environment for children and teenagers. No subscription is required.

Automatic WiFi Security: The router comes with wireless security turned on out-of-the-box, complete with a pre-configured network name and password, protecting home WiFi networks by default.

Easy installation: There’s no CD required, so you can set up the router with smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks and even a MacBook Air ®.

The NETGEAR 802.11ac Product Family

April 2013 Retail Tracking Service data from global information company The NPD Group shows NETGEAR to be the U.S. market share leader, in both units and dollars, in 802.11ac wireless routers. The new NETGEAR R6100 Smart WiFi Router joins the growing NETGEAR family of next-generation 802.11ac products:

All devices in the next-generation 802.11ac product line, including the new R6100, are backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n to provide optimal interoperability with legacy WiFi devices and for maintaining maximum performance on Wireless-N networks.

Pricing and Availability

The NETGEAR R6100 WiFi Router is available now at an MSRP in the U.S. of only $99.99.